Chair of modular construction

ABSTRACT

A chair of modular construction having modules that form the basic chair with additional modules that can be added to the chair without changing the basic construction thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates in general to a chair and in particular to a chair that is of modular construction and which can be constructed economically and some modules added as needed. 2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART INCLUDING INFORMATION DISCLOSED UNDER 37 C.F.R. §§1.97 and 1.98

[0003] There exists in the art a multitude of different chair constructions, each being designed as a single or unitary body that does not allow for addition of modular units as desired. Furthermore, these chairs are all very complicated in their construction.

[0004] It would be advantageous to have a chair that is constructed in modules in a simple and easy manner and to which additional modules such as arm rest modules, back rest tilt modules, a lumbar support module, and a chair height modules could be added as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a chair of modular construction that has a central base module, first and second seat and back support module connected to the central base module, a seat plate module being mounted over the top of the central base module for receiving a chair seat, a back rest frame module attached to the seat and back support module and to the seat plate module for receiving a back rest, a wheel base module coupled to the bottom of the central base module for providing mobility to the chair, a lumbar support module for supporting the lumbar region of the user of the chair, a seat back tilt control module associated with the seat plate module, and a seat height adjustment module associated with the base module with a lever arm attached to the seat plate module for actuating the seat height adjustment module.

[0006] The arm rest module may or may not be attached to the chair if desired without affecting the construction of the chair as it exists. In like manner, the lumbar support module may or may not be coupled to the back rest frame support module. Further, the seat back tilt control mechanism can be omitted without changing the construction of the basic chair.

[0007] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a chair of modular construction wherein some modules can be omitted without changing the basic construction of the chair.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a chair of modular construction that is simple and easy to construct.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a chair of modular construction in which a central base module forms the hub of the chair and to which elongated seat and back support modules can be added, a seat plate module can be added, a back rest frame module can be added and a wheel base module can be added.

[0010] It is still another object of the invention to provide a chair of modular construction using a central base module to which can be added arm rest modules, lumbar support modules, and seat tilt control modules as needed without changing the design of the chair.

[0011] Thus, the invention relates to a novel chair of modular construction comprising a central base module having a top and a bottom and opposing ends; a seat plate module having a front end and a rear end and being attached to the top of the central base module for receiving a chair seat; first and second elongated seat and back support modules, each having a front end and rear end, and each being rigidly attached to a respective end of the central base module for supporting a seat plate and a back support; a seat plate module having a front end and a rear end and being mounted over the top of the central base module for receiving a chair seat; a back rest frame module attached to the seat and back support module and to the seat plate module for receiving a back rest; and a wheel base module coupled to the bottom of the central base module for providing mobility to the chair.

[0012] If desired, the invention further comprises a lumbar support module for coupling to the back rest frame module for supporting the lumbar region of a user of the chair, as well as a seat tilt module that can be associated with the seat plate module and having a lever arm attached to the tilt control mechanism for adjusting the tilt of the seat back module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other objects of the present invention will be more fully disclosed when taken in conjunction with the following detailed description of the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements and wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a side view of the novel chair of modular construction;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top view of the central base module;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a front view of the central base module;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a top view of the central base module having added to it first and second elongated seat back support modules;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a front view of the device in FIG. 4;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a top view of the central base module having the first and second elongated seat and back support modules and having further added first and second arm rest modules;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a front view of the modules illustrated in FIG. 6;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a top view of the combined modules of FIG. 6 having a seat plate module mounted over the top of the central base module for receiving a seat;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a front view of the combined modules illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the combined modules illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0024]FIG. 11 is a front view of the combined modules illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0025]FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the combined modules of FIG. 8 with the back rest frame module added and the arm rests added and with the lever arms for the seat tilt position module and the seat height adjusting module being shown; and

[0026]FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the chair of FIG. 12 with the wheel base module added.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0027]FIG. 1 is a side view of the novel chair 1 that is formed of modular construction. It has a central base module 10, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with first and second elongated seat and back support modules 28 and 30 (see FIG. 4), each having a front end 32, 34 and rear end 36, 38 and each being rigidly attached to one end 16, 18 of the central base module 10 for supporting a seat plate 48 and a back rest frame module 72. The seat plate module 48 (best shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10) has a front end 50 and a rear end 55 and is mounted over the top 12 of the central base module 10 for receiving a chair seat 90. A back rest frame module 72 is attached to the seat and back support modules 28 and 30 and to the seat plate module 48 for receiving a back rest 84. A wheel base module 92 is coupled to the bottom of the central base module 10 for providing mobility to the chair.

[0028]FIG. 2 is a top view of the central base module 10. It has a mounting rod 24, 26 extending from each end of the central base module 10. These mounting rods 24, 26 form a support for the attached elongated seat and back support modules 28 and 30 and extend beyond the elongated seat and back support modules 28 and 30 as shown in FIG. 4 to enable support of the first and second arm rest modules 40, 42 attached thereto.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a front view of the central base module 10 illustrating the top 12 and bottom 14 thereof as well as the opposing ends 16 and 18 and the rods 24 and 26 extending from each end thereof.

[0030]FIG. 4 illustrates the central base module 10 having the first and second elongated seat back support modules 28 and 30 attached thereto. It will be noted that first elongated seat and back support module 28 has a front end 32 and rear end 36, while the second elongated seat and back support module 30 has a front end 34 and a rear end 38.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a front view of the central base module 10 having the first and second elongated seat and back support module 28 and 30 attached thereto as shown in FIG. 4.

[0032]FIG. 6 is a top view of the combined modules of FIG. 4 to which have been added the arm support modules 40 and 42. Each of the arm rest modules is mounted on the rods 24, 26 that extend from each end of the first and second elongated seat and back support modules 28 and 30 and are attached to the first and second elongated seat and back support modules 28 and 30 in any normal way such as by the use of bolts. The arm rest modules 40 and 42 have upper ends 44 and 46 to which arm rests may be attached.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a front view of the combined modules of FIG. 6 showing the arm rest modules 40 and 42 mounted on the outside of the first and second elongated seat and back support modules 28 and 30 which are in turn mounted on the central base module 10.

[0034]FIG. 8 is a top view of the modules shown in FIG. 6 to which a seat plate module 48 has been added. The seat plate module 48 has a front end 50 and a rear end 55 and is mounted over the top 12 of the central base module 10 for receiving a chair seat 92 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Any well known attachment means 51 such as a bolt may be used to couple the forward end 50 of the seat plate module 48 to the front end 32, 34 of each of the elongated seat and back support modules 28, 30. The rear end 55 of the seat plate module 48 has pivot links 56 and 58, one end of which is attached to the seat plate module 48 and the other end of which is attached to a lower pivot bar of a back rest frame module which will be discussed in more detail hereafter.

[0035]FIG. 9 is a back view of the combined modules illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0036]FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the combined modules shown in FIG. 8;

[0037]FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the chair with the back rest frame module 72 attached to the seat back support module 28, 30 and to the seat plate module 48 for receiving a back rest 84 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0038] As can be best seen in FIG. 1, the back rest frame module 72 comprises and upper end 78, 79 (see FIG. 12) for receiving an upper end of a back rest 84. It also has a center pivot bar 74 for receiving a lower end of a back rest 84 and a lower pivot bar 75 for pivotal coupling to the rear end 55 of the seat plate module 48.

[0039] It will be noted best in FIG. 12 that right and left outer ends 37, 39 on the center pivot bar 74 of the back rest frame module 72 provide pivotal attachment to the rear end 36, 38 of corresponding ones of the first and second elongated seat and back support modules on the sides of the central base module 10. Further, right and left mounting structures 61, 63 (see FIG. 8) on the rear end 55 of the seat plate module 48 are pivotally coupled to right and left outer ends 65, 67 on the lower pivot bar 75 (see FIG. 12) for pivotal coupling to the seat plate module 48. The pivotal coupling comprises a first link 56 (see FIG. 8) having a first end 60 for pivotal coupling to the right mounting structure 61 on the seat plate module 48 and a second end 62 for pivotal coupling to the right outer end 65 of the lower pivot bar 75. There is a second link 58 having a first end 64 for pivotal coupling to the left mounting structure 63 on the seat plate module 48 and a second end 66 for pivotal coupling to the left outer end 67 of the lower pivot bar 75. While first and second links have been described, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that a single link could be used if desired and properly fitted at both ends to the respective pivot points.

[0040] In FIG. 12, a seat back tilt control module is associated with the seat plate module 48 with a lever arm 96 attached to the tilt control module for adjusting the tilt of the seat back module. The details of this module are disclosed in commonly assigned co-pending patent application Ser. No. ______ filed ______, and entitled “Multi-Position Tilt-Limiting Mechanism.” Further, as can be seen in both FIGS. 12 and 13, a lever 94 is mounted on center base module 10 and actuates a gas cylinder in the portion 93 of the wheel base module 92 to control the seat height adjustment in a manner well known in the art.

[0041] It will also be noted in FIGS. 1 and 13 that a wheel base module 92 is coupled to the bottom of the central base module 10 for providing mobility to the chair.

[0042] Further, in FIG. 1 it will be noted that a lumbar support module 76 having outer ends 86 connected to the outer edge of the seat back 84 is added to the chair. The detailed description of this module is also described in commonly assigned co-pending patent application Ser. No. ______ filed ______ and entitled “______”.

[0043] Finally, in FIG. 1 it will be noted that arm rests 88, 89 are connected to first and second am rest structures 40, 42 (FIG. 6) mounted on said rods 24, 26 extending from the right and left chair support frames. A first end 44, 46 (see FIG. 7) on each of the arm rest structures 44, 42 is used to mount an arm rest 88, 89 (see FIG. 12). As stated previously, a second end 41, 43 on each of the arm rest modules 40, 42 provide rigid mounting on the rod 24, 26 extending from each of the respective right and left chair support frames 28, 30.

[0044] It will also be noted in FIG. 4 in particular that the spacing between the rearward ends 36, 38 of the right and left chair support frames 28 and 30 is greater than the spacing between the forward ends 32, 34 of the right and left chair support frames 28, 30. This enables the mounting of the seat plate module 48 to the front end thereof and the back rest frame modules 72 to the rear end thereof as explained previously.

[0045] Thus, there has been disclosed a novel modular chair comprising a central panel or module 10 having a top 12 and a bottom 14 and first and second end portion 16, 18. A rod 24, 26 extends outwardly from first and second end portions 16 and 18 of said center module 10. Right and left chair support frame modules 28, 30, are mounted rigidly on the rods 24, 26 on each end of the center panel or module 10 with each of the right and left chair support frames 28 and 30 having a forward end 32, 34 and a rearward end 36, 38. A seat plate 48 is mounted over the top of the center panel 10 for receiving a chair seat 90, the seat plate having a front 50 and a rear 55. Right and left mounting structures 51, 52 and 61, 63 on both the front 50 and rear 55 of the seat plate 48 are attached respectively on the front of the seat plate 48 to the forward end 32 of the right chair support frame 28 and the left mounting structure 54 on the front 50 of the plate 48 to the forward end 34 of the left chair support frame 30. A back rest frame module 72 for receiving a seat back 84 has an upper end, a center pivot bar and a lower pivot bar. The center pivot bar 74 has a right end 37 for pivotal attachment to the rear end of 36 of the right chair support frame 28 and a left end 39 for pivotal attachment to the rear end 38 of the left chair frame 30. The lower pivot bar 75 on the seat back frame has right and left ends 65, 67 for being pivotally coupled to respective right and left rear mounting structures on the seat plate 48. A wheel base structure 92 is mounted to and extending from the base of the center plate 48. In addition, first and second arm rest modules 40, 42 are mounted on the rods 24, 26 on each said right and left chair support frame. The first end 44, 46 on each of said arm rest modules 40, 42 are for mounting a corresponding arm rest 88, 89. The second end 40, 43 on each of the arm rest structures is rigidly mounted on the rods 24, 26 extending from each respective right and left chair support frame 28, 30.

[0046] While the present invention has been described as in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications encompassed by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular chair comprising: a center module having a top and a bottom and first and second end portions; a rod extending outwardly from each of said center module first and second end portions; right and left chair support frame modules, one rigidly mounted on said rod on one end of said center module and one rigidly mounted on said rod on the other end of said center module; each of the right and left chair support frame modules having a forward end and a rearward end; a seat plate module for receiving a chair seat, said seat plate module having a front and a rear; right and left mounting structures on both the front and rear of said seat plate module; attaching means for attaching said right mounting structure on the front of said seat plate module to the forward end of said right chair support frame module and said left mounting structure on the front of said plate module to said forward end of said left chair support frame module; a back rest frame module for receiving a seat back and having an upper end, a center pivot bar, and a lower pivot bar; said center pivot bar having a right end for pivotal attachment to said rearward end of said right chair support frame module and a left end for pivotal attachment to said rearward end of said left chair support frame module; said lower pivot bar on said back rest frame module having right and left ends for pivotal coupling to respective said right and left rear mounting structures on said seat plate module; and a wheel base structure mounted to and extending from the bottom of said center module.
 2. The modular chair of claim 1 further comprising: at least one link having a first end and a second end for coupling said lower pivot bar on said back rest frame module to said right and left rear mounting structures on said seat plate module.
 3. The chair of claim 2 wherein said at least one link comprises: first and second spaced links, each link having a first and a second end; first coupling means for connecting said first end of said first link to said right rear mounting structure on said seat plate module; second coupling means for connecting said second end of said first link to said right end of said back rest frame module lower pivot bar; third coupling means for connecting said first end of said second link to said left rear mounting structure on said seat plate module; and fourth coupling means for connecting said second end of said second link to said left end of said back rest frame module lower pivot bar.
 4. The chair of claim 1 comprising: said rod extending from each end of said center module also extending through said right and left chair support frame modules, respectively; first and second arm rest modules for mounting on each said right and left chair support frame modules; a first end of each of said arm rest modules for mounting an arm rest; and a second end on each of said arm rest modules for rigid support on said rod extending from each respective right and left chair support frame modules.
 5. The chair of claim 1 wherein said spacing between rearward ends of said right and left chair support frames modules is greater than the spacing between said forward ends of said right and left chair support frame modules.
 6. A chair of modular construction comprising: a central base module having a top and a bottom and opposing ends; a seat plate module having a front end and a rear end for receiving a chair seat; first and second elongated seat and back support modules, each having a front end and a rear end and each being rigidly attached to one end of said central base module, said front end supporting the front end of said seat plate module; a back rest frame module attached to said rear end of said seat and back support modules and to said rear end of said seat plate module for supporting said seat plate module and for receiving a back rest; and a wheel base module coupled to the bottom of said central base module for providing mobility to said chair.
 7. The chair of claim 6 further comprising attachment means for coupling said forward end of said seat plate to said front end of each of said elongated seat and back support modules.
 8. The chair of claim 7 wherein said back rest frame module comprises: an upper end for receiving an upper end of a back rest; a center pivot bar for receiving a lower end of a back rest; and a lower pivot bar for pivotal coupling to the rear end of said seat plate module.
 9. The chair of claim 8 further comprising: right and left outer ends on said center pivot bar for pivotal attachment to the rear end of corresponding ones of said first and second elongated seat and back support modules on the sides of said central base module; right and left mounting structures on the rear end of said seat plate module; right and left outer ends on said lower pivot bar for pivotal coupling to said right and left mounting structures on the rear end of said seat plate module.
 10. The chair of claim 9 wherein said coupling means comprises: a first link having a first end for pivotal coupling to said right mounting structure on said seat plate module and a second end for pivotal coupling to said right outer end of said lower pivot bar; and a second link having a first end for pivotal coupling to said left mounting structure on said seat plate module and a second end for pivotal coupling to said left outer end of said lower pivot bar.
 11. The chair of claim 6 further comprising: first and second arm rest modules, each module having an upper end and a lower end; and said first and second arm rest modules being attached to a corresponding one of said elongated seat and back support modules on corresponding sides of said central base module;
 12. The chair of claim 11 further comprising: a mounting rod extending from each end of said central base module; said mounting rods forming a support for each of said attached elongated seat and back support modules and extending beyond said attached elongated seat and back support modules for support of said first and second arm rest modules.
 13. The chair of claim 12 wherein each of said first and second arm rest modules comprises: a first end for attaching said arm rest module to a corresponding one of said elongated seat and back support modules; and a second end for receiving an arm rest thereon.
 14. The chair of claim 6 further comprising a lumbar support module for coupling to the back rest frame module for supporting the lumbar region of a user of the chair.
 15. The chair of claim 6 further comprising: a chair height adjustment module comprising: a gas cylinder in said wheel base module for lowering and raising said chair seat; and a lever arm attached to said seat plate module for actuating said gas cylinder to selectively raise and lower said chair seat.
 16. The chair of claim 6 further comprising: a seat back tilt control module associated with said seat plate module; and a lever arm attached to said tilt control module for adjusting the tilt of said seat back module. 